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nerida_c's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
By the time a series reaches book number nine, there are many elements that a reader can expect, and ALL THE TEARS IN CHINA delivers on them with aplomb. Rowly and his band of colleagues are as close as they always were; Milton is still quoting other people's poetry with Rowly providing the attributions; Clyde is still the sensible one; Edna is obsessed with something (this time it's her newly discovered interest in film); Rowly is still quietly in love with Edna (and he will be beaten up by various lurking types with metronome like regularity); and this little band of artistic types will offend powers that be and get themselves into considerable hot water. Local water being so hot this time, that brother Wilfred, still behaving like part stuffed shirt / part worried brother, sends them off to China, ostensibly so Rowly can act as his representative in international wool sale negotiations, removing him from Sydney and the fall out from the goings on in the previous book.
The story lines in this series are increasingly intertwined, with the fictional action set firmly in the real history of Australia, the rise of Communism, Fascism and the lead up to World War II. Because of these interconnections, ALL THE TEARS IN CHINA will give you a feel for the style (which is delightful), for the plotting (which is always cleverly constructed) and for the characters (who are vivid and real), but you may find you're intrigued by the missing connections and back story which means you're in the lucky position of having eight earlier novels to seek out.
The China that Gentill describes in this outing is fascinating and different from the China of current day - this is before Communist control, when tensions with Japan were ever present, there are a lot of White Russian refugees living there, and there's a distinct feeling of colonialist attitudes in some quarters. The trade negotiations that Rowly is there for (with definite instructions from Wilfred not to agree to anything) are the cause of considerable tension with concerns of trading with the Japanese becoming increasingly prevalent. Nothing compared to the problems they encounter when a young White Russian woman is found dead in Rowly's suite, the day after a night of dancing in the hotel, and an arrangement made to meet in the hotel for tea. Needless to say, Rowland is a convenient prime suspect and the gang of friends are strangers in a strange land, trying to save their friend from prison with the help of their newly acquired Chinese servant, an Indian taxi driver and Wilfred's old friend and local solicitor.
The thing with the Rowland Sinclair series is that the required elements ease the manner in which the real history is incorporated into the story. Whilst the friends are gathering in local assistance, searching for the dead woman's brother, and trying to clear Rowly's name you learn snippets about the White Russian's back story, the way that the ex-pat community operated, and the role of trade, commerce, sanctions and political machinations in the mid 1930's. As you'd expect from that time period, the constant rise in profile and bravado of the German Fascists is a gently delivered lesson of history in real danger of repeating itself.
The Rowland Sinclair series is an interesting one. It's gentle and funny in places. It's characters are vivid, it's sense of place and time light and breezy, yet peppered with reminders of where the world was heading. It's predictable enough to feel like a gathering of old friends, and pointed enough to make you wonder whether that sense of history repeating itself isn't a bit more profound than we've realised.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/all-tears-china-sulari-gentill
The story lines in this series are increasingly intertwined, with the fictional action set firmly in the real history of Australia, the rise of Communism, Fascism and the lead up to World War II. Because of these interconnections, ALL THE TEARS IN CHINA will give you a feel for the style (which is delightful), for the plotting (which is always cleverly constructed) and for the characters (who are vivid and real), but you may find you're intrigued by the missing connections and back story which means you're in the lucky position of having eight earlier novels to seek out.
The China that Gentill describes in this outing is fascinating and different from the China of current day - this is before Communist control, when tensions with Japan were ever present, there are a lot of White Russian refugees living there, and there's a distinct feeling of colonialist attitudes in some quarters. The trade negotiations that Rowly is there for (with definite instructions from Wilfred not to agree to anything) are the cause of considerable tension with concerns of trading with the Japanese becoming increasingly prevalent. Nothing compared to the problems they encounter when a young White Russian woman is found dead in Rowly's suite, the day after a night of dancing in the hotel, and an arrangement made to meet in the hotel for tea. Needless to say, Rowland is a convenient prime suspect and the gang of friends are strangers in a strange land, trying to save their friend from prison with the help of their newly acquired Chinese servant, an Indian taxi driver and Wilfred's old friend and local solicitor.
The thing with the Rowland Sinclair series is that the required elements ease the manner in which the real history is incorporated into the story. Whilst the friends are gathering in local assistance, searching for the dead woman's brother, and trying to clear Rowly's name you learn snippets about the White Russian's back story, the way that the ex-pat community operated, and the role of trade, commerce, sanctions and political machinations in the mid 1930's. As you'd expect from that time period, the constant rise in profile and bravado of the German Fascists is a gently delivered lesson of history in real danger of repeating itself.
The Rowland Sinclair series is an interesting one. It's gentle and funny in places. It's characters are vivid, it's sense of place and time light and breezy, yet peppered with reminders of where the world was heading. It's predictable enough to feel like a gathering of old friends, and pointed enough to make you wonder whether that sense of history repeating itself isn't a bit more profound than we've realised.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/all-tears-china-sulari-gentill
reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
The writing is tight or lyrical as the scene may call for. I enjoy losing myself in the historical settings. The suspense keeps me turning pages, and I love the characters. A quality series.
cardica's review against another edition
5.0
[a:Sulari Gentill|3856582|Sulari Gentill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1308765518p2/3856582.jpg]’s Rowland Sinclair series is one of the strongest franchise detectives of the modern day, for our money. The 1930s playboy son of a wool-shearing fortune has travelled the world and made many enemies in Gentill’s many allegories to the looming return of fascism and authoritarianism to our modern day. Coming in second for our recommendations on Review Season 2020 is the ninth entry in the series, All The Tears in China.
After his older brother Wilfred sends Rowland to delay a doomed deal with Japanese buyers in Shanghai, Rowland grabs a couple of his closest confidants for what promises to be a relaxing holiday after their last turmoil with Egon Kisch in the previous entry in the series. When Rowland is nearly kidnapped moments after arriving, he realises he’s once again wrapped up in something larger and sets about trying to figure it out. Soon thereafter, a young dancer, Alexandra Romanova is found dead in his room, the group is evicted from their hotel, and the police are on their trail. After attempts to prove their innocence only draw more ire as somebody attempts to tie up loose ends, it’s a race against the clock that seems to only keep ticking faster.
One of the absolute highlights of this novel, and also a great example of what makes it so good as a whole, are the scenes in the Cathay Hotel once Rowland has escaped his attempted abductors. You are immediately thrust into Gentill’s intelligent appropriation of historical details like the hotel, its proprietor Victor Sassoon, and the sights and smells of the international districts of 1930s Shanghai. You are introduced to one of the best characters in the novel, Wing Zau, the assistant the hotel assigns Rowland, whose vibrant folk-songs as he works are contrasted with tragic reminisces on the struggles of his native Manchuria, who are scarred after invasion from Japan. Just before the group are kicked out of the hotel, Wing is quietly fired by the hotel staff, setting up the novel’s compelling b-plot. The excellence of Sulari’s approach to the series as a whole is on full display here as the novel is free to explore history, politics and personal drama in a way that so few other novels have the confidence to do. As a reader I’ve loved the modern surge in historical crime fiction, and Sulari Gentill’s conviction with which she integrates the topics and characters of real history lends this subgenre a stunning representative.
Once the crime is uncovered and the core of the adventure begins, the tension only continues to rise as more and more chaotic things begin to happen. The pace is frantic, bordering on overwhelming but in a way that only lends to the urgency of the strife Rowland is in. The scale of events erupts in ridiculous fashion, turning a series of thinly connected events that, despite being separate occurrences, feel like one long action sequence. Especially with the introduction of real-life gangster Du Yuesheng as Wing’s debtor, it’s clear that the situations Rowland and his team are dealing with are far beyond their station, as usual. Rowland’s confidence and personal insights are a welcome companion along with these struggles. His experience in high society as well as the gruesome business of solving murders means that your perspective on the story is always equipped but out of depth, and as the strife grows, your position relative to it is a clean balance quite unlike anything we’ve ever read. Even when his life is in danger, Sinclair continues to try and resolve the situation with actions that you swear are going to work, until Sulari expertly leaves a hint for you that does not cross his eyes and the story turns on its head.
If you follow the show, you’ll know that my arch-nemesis is a tasteless romance that’s there to pander to an audience that quite simply, is not me. Rowland may be a bit of a rich playboy, but the way Sulari writes the will-they-won’t-they romance with Edna, as well as the momentary flirtations with Alexandra before her tragic death are so tasteful and restrained that they won over even me. Herds is definitely hankering for the other novels in the series to up the tension, but I think it’s right where it needs to be and would love to see more authors employ Sulari’s approach to the more intimate relationships of crime fiction, especially in the main cast. The light-on-its-feet approach to romance means that platonic character relationships between other characters such as Wing Zau and Ranjit Singh have the breathing space to stand on their own such that they feel as much a part of the main cast as Rowland and his friends, who have been with us for the entire series by now. One unfortunate note for new readers is that Milton and Clyde may feel like completely indistinct characters in this entry, but it does not hurt the story at all and they are still completely true to their broader portrayal in the series, if less in the spotlight.
The mystery in this story faces a unique challenge; the premise of the Rowland Sinclair series is at home with the rise of fascism between the two world wars. With the theme well and truly introduced by a summary of the previous book at the beginning, you’re equipped from the start to look for a particular ideologues as your culprit or conspirator. Despite that, the story is grounded in such authentic characters and history that you will still have puzzles to unravel and a more personal motive to perceive. Along with a healthy dose of ingenious misdirection, we found the mystery satisfying despite the risk it takes in its premise. If you’re a seasoned detective, you won’t find much in the way of technical challenge or locked rooms, but Gentill’s vibrant depiction of the world well and truly fills that space instead. Every page of All the Tears in China feels like a tour to 1930s Shanghai and that immersion is truly something to behold. There were so many moments reading through this book that this immersion completely pulled me into the moment, and despite the great [a:S.S. Van Dine|7172955|S.S. Van Dine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475139794p2/7172955.jpg]’s insistence that atmosphere has no place in a mystery novel, the sensation as you share Rowland’s shock is simultaneously deeply satisfying and unsettling, only building towards a climax that I’m still shocked Gentill was able to get away with.
Whilst I would like to issue a complaint with Gentill's American publishers for the objectively less interesting title of 'Shanghai Secrets', it was a delight reading this novel and struggling through picking which of our favourite details to highlight in this review.
You can hear our full thoughts and discussion, including three entire interviews with Sulari Gentill, up on Death of the Reader's podcast. An immense thank you to Sulari not only for coming on the show but being amazingly helpful in networking with us behind the scenes.
After his older brother Wilfred sends Rowland to delay a doomed deal with Japanese buyers in Shanghai, Rowland grabs a couple of his closest confidants for what promises to be a relaxing holiday after their last turmoil with Egon Kisch in the previous entry in the series. When Rowland is nearly kidnapped moments after arriving, he realises he’s once again wrapped up in something larger and sets about trying to figure it out. Soon thereafter, a young dancer, Alexandra Romanova is found dead in his room, the group is evicted from their hotel, and the police are on their trail. After attempts to prove their innocence only draw more ire as somebody attempts to tie up loose ends, it’s a race against the clock that seems to only keep ticking faster.
One of the absolute highlights of this novel, and also a great example of what makes it so good as a whole, are the scenes in the Cathay Hotel once Rowland has escaped his attempted abductors. You are immediately thrust into Gentill’s intelligent appropriation of historical details like the hotel, its proprietor Victor Sassoon, and the sights and smells of the international districts of 1930s Shanghai. You are introduced to one of the best characters in the novel, Wing Zau, the assistant the hotel assigns Rowland, whose vibrant folk-songs as he works are contrasted with tragic reminisces on the struggles of his native Manchuria, who are scarred after invasion from Japan. Just before the group are kicked out of the hotel, Wing is quietly fired by the hotel staff, setting up the novel’s compelling b-plot. The excellence of Sulari’s approach to the series as a whole is on full display here as the novel is free to explore history, politics and personal drama in a way that so few other novels have the confidence to do. As a reader I’ve loved the modern surge in historical crime fiction, and Sulari Gentill’s conviction with which she integrates the topics and characters of real history lends this subgenre a stunning representative.
Once the crime is uncovered and the core of the adventure begins, the tension only continues to rise as more and more chaotic things begin to happen. The pace is frantic, bordering on overwhelming but in a way that only lends to the urgency of the strife Rowland is in. The scale of events erupts in ridiculous fashion, turning a series of thinly connected events that, despite being separate occurrences, feel like one long action sequence. Especially with the introduction of real-life gangster Du Yuesheng as Wing’s debtor, it’s clear that the situations Rowland and his team are dealing with are far beyond their station, as usual. Rowland’s confidence and personal insights are a welcome companion along with these struggles. His experience in high society as well as the gruesome business of solving murders means that your perspective on the story is always equipped but out of depth, and as the strife grows, your position relative to it is a clean balance quite unlike anything we’ve ever read. Even when his life is in danger, Sinclair continues to try and resolve the situation with actions that you swear are going to work, until Sulari expertly leaves a hint for you that does not cross his eyes and the story turns on its head.
If you follow the show, you’ll know that my arch-nemesis is a tasteless romance that’s there to pander to an audience that quite simply, is not me. Rowland may be a bit of a rich playboy, but the way Sulari writes the will-they-won’t-they romance with Edna, as well as the momentary flirtations with Alexandra before her tragic death are so tasteful and restrained that they won over even me. Herds is definitely hankering for the other novels in the series to up the tension, but I think it’s right where it needs to be and would love to see more authors employ Sulari’s approach to the more intimate relationships of crime fiction, especially in the main cast. The light-on-its-feet approach to romance means that platonic character relationships between other characters such as Wing Zau and Ranjit Singh have the breathing space to stand on their own such that they feel as much a part of the main cast as Rowland and his friends, who have been with us for the entire series by now. One unfortunate note for new readers is that Milton and Clyde may feel like completely indistinct characters in this entry, but it does not hurt the story at all and they are still completely true to their broader portrayal in the series, if less in the spotlight.
The mystery in this story faces a unique challenge; the premise of the Rowland Sinclair series is at home with the rise of fascism between the two world wars. With the theme well and truly introduced by a summary of the previous book at the beginning, you’re equipped from the start to look for a particular ideologues as your culprit or conspirator. Despite that, the story is grounded in such authentic characters and history that you will still have puzzles to unravel and a more personal motive to perceive. Along with a healthy dose of ingenious misdirection, we found the mystery satisfying despite the risk it takes in its premise. If you’re a seasoned detective, you won’t find much in the way of technical challenge or locked rooms, but Gentill’s vibrant depiction of the world well and truly fills that space instead. Every page of All the Tears in China feels like a tour to 1930s Shanghai and that immersion is truly something to behold. There were so many moments reading through this book that this immersion completely pulled me into the moment, and despite the great [a:S.S. Van Dine|7172955|S.S. Van Dine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475139794p2/7172955.jpg]’s insistence that atmosphere has no place in a mystery novel, the sensation as you share Rowland’s shock is simultaneously deeply satisfying and unsettling, only building towards a climax that I’m still shocked Gentill was able to get away with.
Whilst I would like to issue a complaint with Gentill's American publishers for the objectively less interesting title of 'Shanghai Secrets', it was a delight reading this novel and struggling through picking which of our favourite details to highlight in this review.
You can hear our full thoughts and discussion, including three entire interviews with Sulari Gentill, up on Death of the Reader's podcast. An immense thank you to Sulari not only for coming on the show but being amazingly helpful in networking with us behind the scenes.
chloeindielive's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- fast paced book
- couldn’t guess the ending until most of the way through
- main character is a bit of a knob
- couldn’t guess the ending until most of the way through
- main character is a bit of a knob
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Perhaps it was a good time to be despatched to China.’
Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair’s efforts to assist the Communist Egon Kisch at the end of 1934 and into early 1935 (read ‘A Dangerous Language’) has made him very unpopular with some Australians. As Rowly’s nephew, Ernest, says:
‘Pater said that half of Sydney wants to kill you.’
So, when Rowly’s brother Wilfred asks him to represent him at international wool negotiations in Shanghai, leaving Australia for a while is not unattractive. Especially when his friends Edna Higgins, Milton Isaacs and Clyde Watson Jones are to accompany him. Rowly is under clear instructions from Wilfred:
‘Your purpose is to hold our place in these meetings. Just listen and be pleasant. For God’s sake, don’t sign anything.’
In 1935, Shanghai is a glittering, glamourous place. It’s also a dangerous place, where loyalties and the law can be difficult to navigate. It seems that everyone is welcome in Shanghai: there are impoverished Russian nobles and badly behaved English-speaking expatriates. There are opium dens and sing-song bars. East meets west in Shanghai, but there is a strict hierarchy, and a marked difference between those with means and those without. But all Rowly needs to do is attend meetings and listen. What could possibly go wrong?
A woman is murdered. Her body found in the suite occupied by Rowly and his party. Suspicion falls on Rowly. Naturally, Rowly fights to clear his name. Naturally, his friends try to help. And naturally, because this is Rowland Sinclair, things become complicated, other people with vastly differing interests are involved. There are red herrings to sort, complicated relationships to try to make sense of, and plenty of action. In order to clear his name, Rowly Sinclair needs to find out who killed the woman and why. There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, with a bit of a surprise at the end.
Each chapter of the novel opens with an excerpt from a contemporary newspaper or magazine article. I enjoyed these excerpts which serve to ground the novel in its time period and give an indication of contemporary concerns and attitudes.
This is the ninth novel in Ms Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair series. While I think it possible to read and enjoy the novel as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the series in order. Why? Because Ms Gentill has created such marvellous main characters that one encounter will surely not be enough.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair’s efforts to assist the Communist Egon Kisch at the end of 1934 and into early 1935 (read ‘A Dangerous Language’) has made him very unpopular with some Australians. As Rowly’s nephew, Ernest, says:
‘Pater said that half of Sydney wants to kill you.’
So, when Rowly’s brother Wilfred asks him to represent him at international wool negotiations in Shanghai, leaving Australia for a while is not unattractive. Especially when his friends Edna Higgins, Milton Isaacs and Clyde Watson Jones are to accompany him. Rowly is under clear instructions from Wilfred:
‘Your purpose is to hold our place in these meetings. Just listen and be pleasant. For God’s sake, don’t sign anything.’
In 1935, Shanghai is a glittering, glamourous place. It’s also a dangerous place, where loyalties and the law can be difficult to navigate. It seems that everyone is welcome in Shanghai: there are impoverished Russian nobles and badly behaved English-speaking expatriates. There are opium dens and sing-song bars. East meets west in Shanghai, but there is a strict hierarchy, and a marked difference between those with means and those without. But all Rowly needs to do is attend meetings and listen. What could possibly go wrong?
A woman is murdered. Her body found in the suite occupied by Rowly and his party. Suspicion falls on Rowly. Naturally, Rowly fights to clear his name. Naturally, his friends try to help. And naturally, because this is Rowland Sinclair, things become complicated, other people with vastly differing interests are involved. There are red herrings to sort, complicated relationships to try to make sense of, and plenty of action. In order to clear his name, Rowly Sinclair needs to find out who killed the woman and why. There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, with a bit of a surprise at the end.
Each chapter of the novel opens with an excerpt from a contemporary newspaper or magazine article. I enjoyed these excerpts which serve to ground the novel in its time period and give an indication of contemporary concerns and attitudes.
This is the ninth novel in Ms Gentill’s Rowland Sinclair series. While I think it possible to read and enjoy the novel as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the series in order. Why? Because Ms Gentill has created such marvellous main characters that one encounter will surely not be enough.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
hanblu's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ryes21's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kimswhims's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this but it did take me a long time to read. More me than the book.
There are great titbits of history and it's a rollicking 1930s murder mystery. Terrific Aussie recurring characters and an interesting range of characters popping up in an exotic Shanghai just prior to the onset of WW2.
Just enough smoke and mirrors to make it entertaining but not over involved. Such a relaxing read that I found myself lulled into a sleepy state sometimes. It might have also been the smoke I was breathing in for 6 weeks during the unprecedented bushfire season we are having. Feeling very wired I was keeping track of a bushfire that impacted Batlow where the author lives and is a volunteer firefighter with the RFS! Read a quote from her in one of the online newspapers just after the fire went through!
It's the most recent in the Rowland Sinclair series and the first I've read, but I'll definitely be reading more in the future. A highly recommended murder mystery series.
There are great titbits of history and it's a rollicking 1930s murder mystery. Terrific Aussie recurring characters and an interesting range of characters popping up in an exotic Shanghai just prior to the onset of WW2.
Just enough smoke and mirrors to make it entertaining but not over involved. Such a relaxing read that I found myself lulled into a sleepy state sometimes. It might have also been the smoke I was breathing in for 6 weeks during the unprecedented bushfire season we are having. Feeling very wired I was keeping track of a bushfire that impacted Batlow where the author lives and is a volunteer firefighter with the RFS! Read a quote from her in one of the online newspapers just after the fire went through!
It's the most recent in the Rowland Sinclair series and the first I've read, but I'll definitely be reading more in the future. A highly recommended murder mystery series.
mlafaive's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0